Subject-Verb Agreement MCQs & Exam Tips for Classes 8, 9 & 10
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Master Subject-Verb Agreement MCQs and exam tips for Classes 8, 9 and 10: learn clear rules, time-saving strategies, practice MCQs and board-ready techniques.
Subject-Verb Agreement MCQs for Classes 8, 9, 10: A Guide to English Grammar Mastery
Language forms the foundation of learning, not only as a subject but as a means to excel across disciplines. In the Indian education system, proficiency in English grammar is critical for students to score well in exams and communicate effectively in academic and everyday contexts. Among the core topics tested, subject-verb agreement—commonly called "concord"—ranks high in importance. Mastering this concept ensures that students express themselves accurately, both in written and spoken English.
Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) are now a staple of English grammar assessment, especially from classes 8 to 10 in CBSE, ICSE, and state board exams. These objective questions demand both precision and speed, often examining subtle nuances that even fluent speakers may overlook. This essay will detail why subject-verb agreement matters, break down exam strategies and common rules, address typical pitfalls, and provide original practice MCQs, all tailored to Indian students' learning context.
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The MCQ Format: How Concord is Tested
Common Question Types
In Indian school examinations, MCQs on subject-verb agreement appear in several guises:1. Sentence Completion: Students are given a sentence with a blank and must choose the appropriate verb form from four options. 2. Fill-in-the-Blank: Here, only the verbs differ, often by number or tense. 3. Distractor-based Items: Sentences may include phrases or words designed to mislead, such as quantifiers, intervening clauses, or collective nouns.
What Examiners Expect
Examiners value more than rote knowledge—they seek to test:- Subject identification: Can the student pinpoint the grammatical doer of the action? - Awareness of exceptions: Is the student familiar with rules beyond the basics, such as those involving quantities, collective nouns, or compound subjects? - Ability to filter distractions: Does the student focus on the true subject, rather than nearest or misleading words?
Success in these MCQs depends on methodical analysis and fast elimination of incorrect options.
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Step-wise Strategy for Solving Concord MCQs
A systematic approach demystifies even the trickiest questions:1. Identify the subject: Ask, "Who or what is performing the action?" 2. Remove extra phrases: Ignore modifying parts—like prepositional phrases or clauses—that come between subject and verb. 3. Judge the subject’s type: Is it singular, plural, a collective group, or an uncountable noun? 4. Apply special rules: For cases involving quantifiers, fractions, or compound subjects. 5. Eliminate mismatches: Strike out options where verb and subject do not agree in number. 6. Double-check exceptions: Especially for collectives, titles, unusual nouns, or quantifiers.
Just like checking steps in a math sum, following this sequence improves both speed and accuracy.
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Core Rules and Tips with Illustrative Indian Examples
A. Basic Rule:
- *Singular subject → singular verb; plural subject → plural verb.* _Example:_ “The teacher explains.” “The teachers explain.”Tip: Mentally substitute each option to see what fits the subject’s number.
B. Compound Subjects with “and”
- Generally plural: _"Priya and Anaya are present in class."_ - Exception: If considered one unit: _"Dahi and poha is a healthy breakfast."_Tip: If elements combine into a single idea or thing, use singular.
C. “Or”, “Either...Or”, “Neither...Nor”
- Verb matches the subject closer to the verb: _"Either the buses or the train is late."_ _"Either the driver or the students are waiting."_Tip: Quickly spot the noun just before the verb to avoid error.
D. Collective Nouns
- Singular when the group acts as one: _"The jury is unanimous."_ - Plural when acting as individuals: _"The jury are divided in their opinions."_Tip: Unless the sentence stresses individuals, CBSE prefers singular.
E. Indefinite Pronouns
- Always singular: _"Everyone is ready," "Each student has books."_ - Always plural: _"Few have submitted projects."_Tip: Memorise indefinite pronouns and look for number patterns.
F. Quantifiers and Fractions
- “A number of students are…” (plural) - “The number of students is…” (singular) - Quantifiers like "all," "some," "half," "most" agree with the noun after "of": _"All of the water is gone," "Some of the answers are correct."_Tip: Watch the noun right after "of."
G. Titles, Organisations, Countries
- Treated as singular even if they seem plural: _"The Times of India is widely read."_ _"India is progressing fast."_Tip: Write down a shortlist of such names; always pick singular verbs.
H. Money, Measurements, Distance
- Treated as whole amounts (singular): _"Hundred rupees is not enough today."_ _"Five kilometres is a short walk for him."_Tip: Recall “Twenty years is a long time”—always singular for totals.
I. Nouns That Look Plural But Are Singular
- Examples: _Mathematics is tricky. The news was shocking. Physics is interesting._Tip: List these out; treat as singular.
J. Plural Form Nouns Needing Plural Verbs
- _"Scissors are on the shelf." "My spectacles are missing."_Tip: For things with two parts or pairs, always opt for plural verbs.
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Tricky Constructions and Their Solutions
- Each/Every Before Nouns: “Every boy has a pen.” (singular) - Each/Every One Of + Plural Noun: “Each of the girls is selected.” (singular) - There is/There are: Verb matches real subject after it: “There are plenty of opportunities.” - Phrases like “along with,” “as well as”: Do NOT make the subject plural: “The principal, along with the staff, is present.” - Relative Clauses: “She is one of those who work hard.” (verb after ‘who’ matches ‘those’)---
Common MCQ Pitfalls and How to Dodge Them
- Don’t be fooled by words or phrases between subject and verb—strip down to the core clause. - Watch for collective nouns—decide if the sense is one group or many individuals. - Quantifiers: always check the noun after “of.” - Singular-looking nouns that are plural, or vice versa: keep your own cheat sheet (e.g. "mathematics"). - Process of elimination: quickly rule out options that clearly clash in number.---
Time-Saving MCQ Techniques
1. Find the subject first—always. 2. Eliminate obviously mismatched options. 3. Plug each verb into the blank mentally and test for agreement. 4. For ambiguous cases, recall board-preferred norms: singular for collective nouns, singular for sums and measurements. 5. Skip any puzzling item and return with fresh focus.---
Progressive Practice Plan: Four Weeks to Mastery
Week 1: - Practice 20 basic MCQs a day—focus on simple subjects and verbs. - Circle the subjects before filling blanks.Week 2: - Move to compound and pronoun-based questions. - Practice nearest subject rule in “or/neither…nor” sentences.
Week 3: - Work on quantifiers, fractions, and collective nouns. - Set timer for batches of 30 MCQs.
Week 4: - Attempt full-length MCQ tests (50–60 questions). - Log mistakes, write one-sentence explanations for each, and fix error types systematically.
Ongoing: - Maintain a “tricky list”—your personalised log of nouns and constructions often missed. Revise it before each test.
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Original Practice MCQs with Explanations
1. Neither the police nor the thief ___ found at the scene. - is / are / was / were Answer: was — “thief” is nearest, singular.2. Five kilos of apples ___ enough for the family. - are / is / have / was Answer: is — considered as a whole quantity.
3. A group of students ___ celebrating outside. - is / are / has / have Answer: is — group as a unit.
4. Both Rita and her friends ___ invited to the wedding. - is / was / were / has Answer: were — plural subject.
5. The committee ___ reached its decision. - has / have / is / are Answer: has — treated as a unit in Indian board English.
6. Several of the questions ___ left unanswered. - has / have / is / was Answer: have — “several” is always plural.
7. Each boy and girl ___ wearing the school uniform. - are / have / is / were Answer: is — “each” takes singular.
8. Ten years ___ not changed his attitude. - has / have / are / is Answer: has — time period as a single block.
9. None of the books ___ missing from the library. - is / are / was / has Answer: are — “books” is plural, so “are.”
10. The scissors ___ sharp. - is / are / has / was Answer: are — always plural.
After answering, jot down explanations for any errors to reinforce logic.
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Learning from Mistakes
Maintaining a journal of errors can transform weak spots into strengths. For every MCQ you answer incorrectly, write:- The question and your answer - The correct answer - A line explaining why your choice was wrong
Categorise these errors—be it subject identification, misuse of quantifiers, or confusion over collectives—and revisit problem types weekly.
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Exam-Day Success: Tips for Indian Boards
- Read carefully: Exam MCQs often trip students with tiny differences. - Check the tense: Some MCQs test both agreement and tense—verify both. - Stick to board conventions: When in doubt, follow CBSE/ICSE standard patterns (e.g., “team is”). - Do not rush: Attempt easier MCQs first to avoid mind blocks.---
Mnemonics and Memory Tricks
- “NEAR” Rule: In "either…or" sentences, match the verb to the NEARest subject. - “OF-LOOK” Rule: When a quantifier is followed by ‘of,’ always LOOK at the next noun. - Shortlists: - Always singular: news, mathematics, economics, physics - Always plural: scissors, trousers, glasses---
Additional Practice and Revision
For lasting success:- Practise from recent board papers (last 5 years). - Use digital quizzes for instant scoring. - Form study groups—design peer MCQs and challenge friends. - Ask teachers to explain confusing sentences from Indian textbooks, literature, or current affairs sources (“The Supreme Court is hearing...”, “The school, along with students, is...”).
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Conclusion
Becoming adept at subject-verb agreement is about more than just memorising rules; it’s about keen observation and methodical practice. The real key lies in understanding the subject’s role in a sentence and correctly navigating special exceptions. By practicing MCQs, recording errors, and reviewing nuanced cases, every student—whether aspiring for a 10 CGPA or aiming to pass—can grow in both confidence and correctness. Let practice, patience, and persistence be your guiding mantras!---
Appendix: Quick Reference Table (Examples)
| Rule Type | Example | |--------------------------|--------------------------------------------| | Singular subject | The student learns. | | Plural subject | The students learn. | | “And” compounds | Ravi and Sunil are here. | | “Or”, nearest subject | Neither Sita nor her friends are ready. | | Collective noun (unit) | The staff is on time. | | Indefinite pronoun | Everyone is hopeful. | | “A number of” | A number of shops are closed. | | “The number of” | The number of shops is growing. | | Amount/measure (singular)| Fifty rupees is enough. | | Always plural (objects) | Scissors are sharp. | | Tricky singulars | The news is positive. |*For further practice, make your own MCQs from comic strips, NCERT passages, or Indian news headlines. Happy learning!*
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